LITERATURE AS LANGUAGE

Table 6.1 Syntactic triggers of equivalence and opposition (adapted from Jeffries 2010b: 8-9)

Syntactic triggers of equivalence Examples

Intensive relational X is Y; seems Y;
equivalence X became Y;
X appears Y;
Z thinks X Y; etc.
Appositional equivalence X, Y, (Z);
(using apposition) X and Y; etc.
Metaphorical equivalence X is Y (relational);
(e.g. using metaphors, similes) The X of Y;
X is like Y; etc.
Syntactic triggers of opposition
Negated opposition X not Y;
Not X, Y
(plesionymic)
Some X, no Y; etc.
Transitional opposition Turn X into Y;
X becomes Y;
From X to Y; etc.
Comparative opposition (using More X than Y;
comparative adjectives) Less X than Y; etc.
Orange is the new black.
The conference became a
pantomime.
Women, fire and dangerous
things.
The quit of the dark.
Life is like a box of
chocolates.
Examples
Car, not babies.
It’s not a tool, it’s an idea.
Turn water into wine.
More ignorant than happy.

Replacive opposition X instead of Y; Sad instead of bereft.

(conjunctions of alternatives) X rather than Y; etc.

Concessive opposition (using Despite X,Y; Despite rain, the sun shone.
concessive conjunctions) X, yet Y; etc. Fearful, yet excited.

Comfortable rather than

Explicit opposition X by contrast with Y; wealthy.
X, as opposed to Y;
ect.
Syntactic triggers of
equivalence and/ or opposition
(these require interpretation in
context) Examples
Syntactic parallelism He liked X. She He liked words. She liked
Like Y; gymnastic
Your house is X,
Mine is Y; etc.
Contrastives (using contrastive X, but Y; etc. She felt tired, but happy.
conjunctions)